Open Office Database help.

Alison_Funnell

Where can a complete database virgin learn how to manipulate this beast?

I want a database that I can use to track the cost of items at various supermarkets over time, so I can track changes and therefore improve my annual domestic spending.

Thanks

PhilCo_2

You'd be better off starting with a simple spreadsheet with the products listed in the first column, dates in the first row and the prices in the middle.

katra_3

Have you tried going to the openoffice homepage, they have lots information available there for all of their programs. Here is the sequence to where I found the information:

1. Openoffice homepage (openoffice . org)
2. I need help with my openoffice
3. Documentation project
4. Under the download documentation section click on Calc Giude (wiki)
5. Next click on 'this wiki page' (it is in the middle of the screen highlighted blue as a link)
6. Then scroll down the page to Calc guide - V3.2 and click on a chapter of your interest. On this page you can also find helpfull guides for openoffice's other programs.

I am aware that even these guides can be a bit daughnting as there is alot to take in. So I suggest that you download a template so you can get used to using the spreadsheets, achitecture and sums used. (Plus it will be all done for you )

1. Type openoffice templates in google (click on 1st choice)
2. Click on either 'Business' 'Education' 'Private'
3. Choose a template that interests you then click on 'use it'.
4. You will have the option to 'open' or 'save' (I suggest you choose open, so you can see what it is like before you save it)

I found 1 which may interest you:
Choose Private --> Other private documents --> Page 4 --> Money Managment Template

It basically talks you through using the template and how to customize it.

(If you use the above example, you access the tables/spreadsheets by choosing a page at the bottom left hand corner of the screen, so click on either: 'Help' 'Budget' 'Transactions' 'Report' 'Categories' you can go back and forth through the pages this way.)

Of course you don't have to use that one, i feel it may be too complex for your needs, but it's a nice learning curve, and there are plenty of others to choose from.

Hopefully this should help you

katra